New England Regional CHAMPIONSHIP - Page 1

I repeat,CHAMPIONSHIP. At Championships, you should not have KIDS laying tracks, no different than, you should not have KIDS catching dogs. How can a KID catch 30-50 dogs in a Championship? KIDS should work dogs on a club trial level..not a Championship level. These dogs that are competing at a Championship level deserve better track layers. Why should I expose my 20K dog to such in-experience? With all the training that I put into my dog..my dog deserves better than a KID laying his tracks or catching him. JUST MY OPINION

The kid you refer to tried out for helper work like all the other helpers that were picked. The judge picked him based on his tryout, just like all the other helpers. He was chosen to work the SchH1 dogs, of which there were only 4. He has done helper work at a regional championship already. He has already been a tracklayer at a national event. Before you go complaining about his helper work maybe you should go talk to the handlers of the dogs he caught first.

Correct CrashKerry, Alex has laid tracks at two National events along with several club trials. Competitors have never had an issue with it. And Alex also did the back half 3's at another Regional Championship, and tried out with all the other helpers and did Super. None of the compettiors had a problem with it, and the judge constantly remarked about his EXCELLENT ability for verbally and in his helperbook.

Kandi

the MOM

People who don't know who you're talking about may think you're refering to a 12 year old, ListenNow.

The person in question was picked by the judge in the helper tryouts just like all the older helpers. He caught the Schh1 dogs, and the number of entries in that group didn't come anywhere near a dozen, never mind 30 or 50. This is not his first regionals, BTW.

I'm quite sure this person has enough experience to lay a track as well. It's unlikely that any of the dogs pulled off the track because the footprints were those of a minor.

You are welcome to pull your $20,000 dog out of the competition, and go trial somewhere with an older (which apparently means safer and more qualified) trial helper. In the meantime, I'd be happy to have this person catch my dogs.

Jackie

meant EXCELLENT ability BOTH verbally and in his helperbook.

After 6 years working with me, my 13 yr. old neighbor girl can lay as good an FH track as any adult, better than most. Its not the age as much as the ability, desire and training.

SS

And...as Alex and I are very competitive, be it in the show ring handling dogs....or laying tracks...the average tracking scores of the dogs who ran his tracks was MUCH higher than mine....and that of other seasoned track layers as well. Maybe it is young tireless legs and those 12.5 size boots that all competitors should hope for!

Here is a link to his helper try out. Female was generously offered by Molly Graf...who also has no issue with Alex catching her dogs....

YouTube - Laika vom Riemsloherwald & Alex Jacopino

20K for a dog????? 20K???????????? did you pay tax on that 20K?????  This whole post has to be a joke.

Oh please... while I am very envious of Alex's age, you are judging his abilities by a number.

Being one of the SchH 1 entries I was VERY PLEASED with how Alex worked my dog; safely. My male comes in very fast and HARD. Alex stayed in the center and did not bail out or turn early. He caught him excellent. His presentations and attacks as well as all the other exercises were text book.

Julie Berry Blanding

Hahaha!

I would rather have a child laying my track than a 6'6" guy that takes huge steps.

For every trial there is always a complaint.  Not everyone can win.

Blinds were too wide/close

Helper didn't do this/that

My dog has never seen a crowd, a black helper, a stadium, a train, numbers on my chest, or a seagull flying above.

The sun was not out until I got out on the field

They use different sleeves

The blinds are a different color

The wind was blowing blind four

The helper was wearing a purple hat

etc. etc.